12 Must-Haves to Put on a Wedding Registry

Planning a wedding is an adventure, and putting together a wedding registry is often one step of the journey couples haven’t faced before. A registry is a wishlist that tells wedding guests how they can help celebrate the big day with gifts the couple truly wants or needs.

While most wedding registries are now online, they’ve been around for a century. This tradition is a great way to take the pressure off gift-buying. Your friends and family will appreciate the clear communication — everyone wants to give a present they know the bride and groom will love!

12 Items to Put on Your Wedding Registry

The possibilities are endless when it comes to crafting your wedding registry. You can follow tradition and request the basics or incorporate the latest trends into your list to create a completely unique register.

Whether you have one registry that keeps all your must-have items in one place or you register at various stores and sites, make sure you add these ideas.

Kitchenware

The start of your marriage is an excellent time to stock up on new kitchen supplies and equipment. Whether you’re moving into a new home or you’ve already been living together, there are several kitchen essentials you might put on your wedding registry:

1. Cookware: Think pots and pans, skillets, casserole dishes and Dutch ovens. Everyone needs these tools to whip up meals in the kitchen with their spouse. Add a multi-piece cookware set to your registry or a casserole dish to make your favorite family recipes.
2. Cutlery: Every chef needs a high-quality knife set to make magic in the kitchen. You can also add a set of your favorite flatware to ensure you have enough spoons, forks and other utensils to host guests and parties.
3. Baking supplies: Think baking sheets, mixing bowls and a stand or hand mixer. You’ll get a lot of use out of these tools.
4. Kitchen appliances: Use your wedding registry as an opportunity to fill up your empty kitchen countertops. Stick to the classics, like a blender or food processor, or go trendy with an air fryer or instant pot.

Dining Accessories

Whether you plan on throwing weekly dinner parties or enjoying quiet meals with your spouse, you want to have everything you need for a beautiful tablescape:

5. Tableware: You can go the fine china route or add a set of your favorite stoneware plates to your wedding registry. Don’t forget glassware, like your favorite wine glasses or whiskey tumblers.
6. Linens: Tablecloths and napkins can take any table from plain to luxurious. Whether you want an everyday table covering or something fancy for special occasions, your wedding registry is a great place to ask for options.
7. Dining accessories: Complete your tablescape with some extras for the table. Think custom matchbooks, brass candlesticks, handmade wooden salad bowls or embroidered table runners. These accessories are the little touches that make your newlywed house a home.

Bed and Bath

Celebrate your marriage in comfort with these wedding registry ideas for the bedroom and the bathroom:

8. Bed linens: When you’re putting together your wedding registry, why not include some high-quality linens to make every night the best sleep possible? Pillows, sheets and a down comforter are excellent options for your registry.
9. Bathroom linens: You probably already have a few towels, but you can start your marriage fresh with a set of matching bath towels and bath sheets that offer maximum comfort. Consider registering for bath mats, a shower caddy or luxurious soaps and lotions — anything that will make your bathroom a personal oasis for you and your partner.

Around the House

Your marital home is your oasis from the rest of the world. You can include anything on your wedding registry to help make it your own:

10. Decor: You know your style best. Feel free to add any must-have or splurge items that will help make your house your own to your wedding registry. Search for lamps and lighting fixtures, picture frames and mirrors, vases and organization essentials. You can even request a few gift cards to stores where you can pick things out yourself.
11. Appliances: Sharing chores is part of marriage. Make it easier for everyone with a few useful appliances to help you and your spouse get the job done. Don’t underestimate the power of a high-quality vacuum cleaner, food processor or electric kettle.
12. Toolkit: Every house needs a fully equipped set of tools to handle basic household maintenance tasks. You never know when sudden repairs may pop up. A toolkit will have all the essentials to ensure things run smoothly at all times.

Wedding Registry Tips

Still overwhelmed by your options? Check out these tips and tricks for putting together a wedding registry that

• Organize by room: Go through your house or apartment room by room. What do you need? What do you want to replace? Use these ideas to build out your wedding registry with items you’ll actually use and appreciate.
• Add items you want: While this might seem like a no-brainer, some couples get caught up in what they think they should ask for instead of what they really want. Your wedding is for you. If you and your partner want to enjoy weekly movie nights together with a new television, feel free to add it!
• Adapt your registry to your guestlist: You should base the size of your wedding registry on the number of guests you’ve invited to your wedding. Provide options to suit a range of different budgets and relationships.
• Set priorities: Many online wedding registries allow you to mark certain items as priorities. Other suggestions are more playful ideas. You can let guests know what you really want or need to make their decisions easier.

Get Creative With Things to Put on a Wedding Registry

Remember, it’s your wedding and you deserve to celebrate it your way. That includes a registry that reflects your relationship. Get creative, personal and practical when putting together a wedding registry ahead of your big day.